Laurie Ellis has shared a tribute for his sons Mason Ellis and Louie Ellis, who were killed when the car they were travelling in with their mum crashed head-on with another vehicle
A father has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his “extraordinary” sons who were tragically killed in a head-on crash.
Mason Ellis, six, and Louie Ellis, eight, were travelling in a car with their mum, Amy Sheppard, near Sutton on Sea in Lincolnshire when it lost control and collided with an oncoming vehicle in October 2023. Their mum was handed a 20-month suspended sentence at Lincoln Crown Court in December 2025, as judge James House KC said the “ability to exercise mercy” was part of his judicial function.
Now, the children’s father, Laurie Ellis, has shared a tribute for his sons, describing them as “two extraordinary boys whose love, laughter, and spirit filled every space they were in.” He added: “Louie had a heart full of joy and determination.”
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He said Louie loved playing football every weekend with his dad and uncle, no matter the weather. Laurie said Louie also liked watching Liverpool FC and would cheer them on, and he dreamed of one day becoming a professional footballer and playing for the team like his hero, Mo Salah.
When he wasn’t outside, Louie loved playing on his games consoles or baking cookies with his brothers and step mum Charlotte, Laurie said. The heartbroken dad added: “He adored spending time playing with his stepsisters and brother, always welcoming everyone with kindness and enthusiasm. Louie had a way of making people feel included, loved, and valued.”
Laurie said Mason’s world was “fuelled by imagination and creativity”. He explained that the child loved Mario and would turn every day moments into adventures and create games inspired by Mario Kart that brought him “endless fun and laughter”, Lincolnshire Live reported.
Mason also enjoyed spending time on his dad’s gaming computer and special quiet moments with grandad, where he would sit on his knee and watch him make wooden toys. Laurie added: “Those moments, filled with love, patience, and gentle laughter, meant the world to him.”
In his statement, he said the boys also enjoyed being out with their grandma and aunt Olivia, including visiting Adventure Land. He said: “Both Louie and Mason shared a deep love for their little brother.
“They were the very best big brothers – protective, caring, and endlessly proud of him. He wanted to be just like his bigger brothers, following in their footsteps and looking up to them with pure admiration and love.”
Louie and Mason have been described as having “the most beautiful souls” and Laurie said “their kindness, warmth, and laughter drew people to them, and everyone who knew them adored them.” He said: “Our whole family adored them deeply and looked forward to weekends with them – weekends filled with noise, fun, love, and togetherness that meant more than words can say. As their dad, my love for Louie and Mason is endless and unconditional. They were my world, my heart, my everything.”
Laurie added: “Losing them has left two enormous holes in my heart – holes that will never be filled. Their loss has deeply impacted our family’s lives, and nothing will ever be the same without them.”
He said his children “will always be deeply loved, forever missed, and never forgotten.” He added: “Their laughter, their bond, and their beautiful souls will live on forever in my heart and in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know them.”
